TicketsCINCINNATI - Thanks to timely goal scoring and an all-around team effort on both ends of the field, the University of Cincinnati lacrosse team scored a 17-12 victory over visiting Ohio State Monday night, defeating the Buckeyes for the first time in the history of the series in a game played at Gettler Stadium in Cincinnati. McKenna Rushford scored six goals while Monica Borzillo notched five goals added three assists to help UC improve to 3-1 on the year while sending the visitors home with a 1-3 record overall.
// THAT'S A FIRST
Heading into the game, Ohio State had won the previous six meetings in the series, including last year's 17-8 decision in Columbus that opened the season for both teams. The win tonight was the first for the Bearcats against the Buckeyes. The last time the two teams played in Cincinnati saw the Bearcats come their closest to victory with a 13-8 defeat before tonight's win.
// OFF TO THE BEST START
In their 11th varsity season, the Bearcats are now off to a 3-1 start, which ties the program record for the best start. The last time UC had a 3-1 start to their season came in 2009 when the Bearcats began the year at 3-0 before falling on the road at Johns Hopkins.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
After Ohio State took a 1-0 lead, Taylor Gysin struck back for the Bearcats less than one minute later to tie the game before Rushford scored her first for a 2-1 lead. The Buckeyes tied the game at 2-2, but Rushford put the Bearcats on top for good with her second of the night before UC stretched the lead to four goals at 6-2. Following a two-goal run from the visitors, UC would close out the half by scoring three of the final four goals to take a 9-5 lead at halftime. In the second half, OSU scored first, but the Bearcats responded once again with another four-goal run as Amanda Donovan, Rushford, Borzillo and Alyssa Adams each scored. After two from the Buckeyes, UC scored three in row for a 16-8 lead, its largest of the night, before OSU scored four of the final five goals of the contest for the 17-12 score line.
// BORZILLO HAS BIG NIGHT
Borzillo collected a team and game-high eight points on the night as she scored five goals while adding three assists as well. Going 2-of-3 in free-position shot attempts, Borzillo added a pair of ground balls in the game. Her final goal of the contest came at 2:08 remaining and helped halt an OSU run that saw the Buckeyes score twice in a row and gut the lead to 16-10.
// RUSHFORD'S HOT STREAK CONTINUES
Rushford had another huge game offensively for the Bearcats as she netted six goals for the second game in a row to lead the way. Her first goal of the night put the Bearcats on top, 2-1, before her second made it 3-2 for the hosts, giving UC a lead it would not surrender. In fact, her second score started a 4-0 run for the Bearcats to take a 6-2 lead. Overall, she finished the first half of play with four goals to her credit before adding two more in the second half for her final total.
Last week at Winthrop, Rushford netted six goals, which then surpassed her previous career-high goal total of four goals in a single game. She now has two entries into the UC single game record book as her six goals tie for the second-most in a game in Bearcats history. But, her offense wasn't the only factor she played on the night as she led the team with six caused turnovers while also leading in ground balls (four) and added a pair of draw controls.
// DURSO, DEFENSE STAND TALL
Giuliana Durso had another outstanding day in the cage as she recorded 11 saves to help anchor the defense in the big victory. Defensively, UC forced OSU into 20 turnovers, collecting 13 caused turnovers while the Buckeyes caused just seven on the Bearcats.
// QUICK ON THE DRAW
The UC offense was sparked by a 17-14 advantage in draw controls in the game. Schuyler Nissen led the way with seven controls while Amanda Donovan added five as well.
// NEXT UP
UC's four-game home stand continues Friday as the Bearcats are set to welcome Central Michigan to Gettler Stadium for a 3 p.m. contest.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.
// THAT'S A FIRST
Heading into the game, Ohio State had won the previous six meetings in the series, including last year's 17-8 decision in Columbus that opened the season for both teams. The win tonight was the first for the Bearcats against the Buckeyes. The last time the two teams played in Cincinnati saw the Bearcats come their closest to victory with a 13-8 defeat before tonight's win.
// OFF TO THE BEST START
In their 11th varsity season, the Bearcats are now off to a 3-1 start, which ties the program record for the best start. The last time UC had a 3-1 start to their season came in 2009 when the Bearcats began the year at 3-0 before falling on the road at Johns Hopkins.
// HOW IT HAPPENED
After Ohio State took a 1-0 lead, Taylor Gysin struck back for the Bearcats less than one minute later to tie the game before Rushford scored her first for a 2-1 lead. The Buckeyes tied the game at 2-2, but Rushford put the Bearcats on top for good with her second of the night before UC stretched the lead to four goals at 6-2. Following a two-goal run from the visitors, UC would close out the half by scoring three of the final four goals to take a 9-5 lead at halftime. In the second half, OSU scored first, but the Bearcats responded once again with another four-goal run as Amanda Donovan, Rushford, Borzillo and Alyssa Adams each scored. After two from the Buckeyes, UC scored three in row for a 16-8 lead, its largest of the night, before OSU scored four of the final five goals of the contest for the 17-12 score line.
// BORZILLO HAS BIG NIGHT
Borzillo collected a team and game-high eight points on the night as she scored five goals while adding three assists as well. Going 2-of-3 in free-position shot attempts, Borzillo added a pair of ground balls in the game. Her final goal of the contest came at 2:08 remaining and helped halt an OSU run that saw the Buckeyes score twice in a row and gut the lead to 16-10.
// RUSHFORD'S HOT STREAK CONTINUES
Rushford had another huge game offensively for the Bearcats as she netted six goals for the second game in a row to lead the way. Her first goal of the night put the Bearcats on top, 2-1, before her second made it 3-2 for the hosts, giving UC a lead it would not surrender. In fact, her second score started a 4-0 run for the Bearcats to take a 6-2 lead. Overall, she finished the first half of play with four goals to her credit before adding two more in the second half for her final total.
Last week at Winthrop, Rushford netted six goals, which then surpassed her previous career-high goal total of four goals in a single game. She now has two entries into the UC single game record book as her six goals tie for the second-most in a game in Bearcats history. But, her offense wasn't the only factor she played on the night as she led the team with six caused turnovers while also leading in ground balls (four) and added a pair of draw controls.
// DURSO, DEFENSE STAND TALL
Giuliana Durso had another outstanding day in the cage as she recorded 11 saves to help anchor the defense in the big victory. Defensively, UC forced OSU into 20 turnovers, collecting 13 caused turnovers while the Buckeyes caused just seven on the Bearcats.
// QUICK ON THE DRAW
The UC offense was sparked by a 17-14 advantage in draw controls in the game. Schuyler Nissen led the way with seven controls while Amanda Donovan added five as well.
// NEXT UP
UC's four-game home stand continues Friday as the Bearcats are set to welcome Central Michigan to Gettler Stadium for a 3 p.m. contest.
// EXPERIENCE UC
Once again in 2018, all home games will be part of the Experience UC initiative, which is geared toward inviting the community to campus to see firsthand the great things about and surrounding the university. Experience UC includes complimentary admission for patrons attending women's basketball, lacrosse, volleyball, women's tennis, men's and women's soccer, swimming and diving and track and field home events.
// FOLLOW US
GoBearcats.com is your one-stop destination for all things UC Athletics. Socially, the team can also be followed on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram with all using the handle GoBearcatsLAX. Head Coach Gina Oliver (@GinaOliverUC) also can be followed on Twitter.